Evolutionary Theory Still Evolving

I read in the today's paper that archeologists have discovered a homo sapiens tooth they're dating back 400,000 years; around twice as old as the previous benchmark for the genesis of humans. Oh, and one more thing: it was found in Israel, moving the origins of man from Africa to the Middle East. Two points for the creationists?

Now I hope there aren't any creationists out there getting hopeful about how this has completely obliterated the case for evolution. That would be the same kind of blind hubris that you mock in the straw-man caricatures of your avowed enemies, the evolutionists. This is merely a different set of facts to plug into the same old Darwinian Secular Humanist religious framework. Evolutionists will no more budge their faith at this discovery than you did yours when they presented you with their own set of extremely convincing evidences (which do exist).

The war will not be won in the mind alone when the battleground has spiritual dimensions.

An Open Letter to Santa Claus

Dear Santa,

I'm not going to try and convince you I've been nice this year or justify my attitudes and behaviors. I've actually been rather naughty. I've done things that should have remained undone. I've left undone things that should have been done. I've said things that should have remained unsaid. I have forgotten who I am and what I ought to do. I have reveled in evil and caused suffering to my friends and family. In fact, if I'm perfectly honest, I've never deserved a spot on the nice list. I owe you some presents back, I guess.

So this is just a letter to say I'm removing myself as a candidate for future presents. Don't worry about me though. I talked to Jesus and He said even though I suck at life, I can have all His stuff anyway if I let His Dad adopt me. You're too busy to help me be the person you're asking me to be anyhow. Jesus is a bit more hands-on with my sanctification, and He's going to make me just like Him. Don't be too hard on yourself though. You're just a fictional, finite creature and He's almighty God. Who could compete?

Glad tidings and great joy,

Joshua Smith

The Real Santa Claus?

The legend goes that during the Council of Nicaea, St. Nicholas of Smyrna became so agitated at the heresy being promulgated by Arius of Egypt, that he rose and struck the heretic in the face. That tale is probably not true, but neither is all the the reindeer crap, so I think I'd prefer to celebrate Christmas by physically accosting schismatics rather than just buying stuff and giving elves the credit. How about you?

My Daily Bread

I sat in the middle of Panera Bread and wept as I read these lines from the great George MacDonald, chastising me as if he were my own stern Scottish Grandfather:

“If you who set yourselves to explain the theory of Christianity, had set yourselves instead to do the will of the Master, the one object for which the gospel was preached to you, how different would now be the condition of that portion of the world with which you come into contact! Had you given yourselves to the understanding of His Word that you might do it, and to be the quarrying of material wherewith to buttress your systems, in many a heart by this time would the name of the Lord be loved where it now remains unknown.” (Unspoken Sermons MacDonald 159)

As I came to the end of the passage, Matthew Ballamy of Muse was pleading, “Why can’t we start it over again?” into my headphones. One does not often hear the Holy Spirit so clearly. 

apatheism

I had a conversation tonight with a college student whom I love about his concern over his own loss of faith. I asked him if he was dissatisfied with agnosticism, and he replied that it was more like he just didn't care anymore. I quipped something about "apatheism*," and later mused about how common that posture seems to be.  The faith we're presenting to them must be pretty underwhelming, or else they are just being amused to death. Probably both. Until we show them something radical, I'm afraid we're looking at a rising population of apatheists in our future.

*Apparently I'm not so original, because a quick Google search reveals that the concept of apatheism preexisted my own epiphany.